Los Pacaminos at the Borderline

I was in London last night for a reunion and took the opportunity of catching a gig at The Borderline by Los Pacaminos, an Americana band who are as British as fish and chips but fun to watch and excellent musicians. Formed in 1992, the seven piece band's music takes in Tex Mex, mariachi, some country and a bit of rock and roll along with some Louisiana flavours here and there. The band's name is made up but, loosely translated, means 'Pack 'em in'.
Paul Young, who found success in the eighties with hits such as Wherever I Lay My Hat and Every Time You Go Away is the leader of the band, but vocal duties are shared around, with Drew Barfield and Jamie Moses showing that they have excellent voices as well. The band's light hearted approach, as exemplified by the title of their recent album A Fistful of Statins, is a joy: they certainly don't take themselves too seriously but they are all serious musicians who have played with some of the top musicians in the UK.

Included in the band's set were some covers, including Bobby Bland's Ain't Nothing You Can Do, Al Green's Belle, Ain't Got No Home and Smoke Smoke That Cigarette, but there were quite a few authentic sounding originals from their two albums, including Bruised and Battered, an amusing song about the dangers of drink, I Told Her Lies, the Tex Mex flavoured Poor Boys and Come A Little Bit Closer. Midway through their second set they broke into Tequila as glasses of the stuff were brought on stage - a regular occurrence apparently.
This was the first time I've caught Los Pacaminos, but won't be the last I suspect. They brought back memories of my recent Texas trip and more besides.